Opening two new schools in our district has made for a very exciting spring, as we determine new school boundaries and make staffing decisions to position each of our nine elementary schools for a fantastic 2012/13 school year.  Now that we have a more clear sense of the size of Willamette and how many children will be in each grade, it’s time to begin making class placements for next year. 

As we’ve done the last several years, teachers reflect on children’s academic, social and emotional development to create balanced classrooms.  We strive to create conditions for respectful, caring classroom cultures, because we know children learn best when they feel safe and supported.  We also do our best to insure each classroom includes learners with a range of strengths, so learners are exposed to new, productive ways of thinking from peers.

You are invited to write me an email or letter with information to help us make the best class placements possible.  While we cannot fulfill specific teacher requests, we are very interested in your thoughts concerning the type of learning community necessary for your child to thrive.  You may consider questions such as:

·         In what areas does your child have special strengths or needs?

·         What sort of learning environment best supports him or her?

In regards to placing children with friends, we do our best to make sure every class has many opportunities for strong friendships.  It’s difficult, if not impossible, to meet all requests to place children with specific friends, but the more names you include, the better chance your child will be placed with an established friend.  If you request a placement with an established friend, please consider whether or not the friendship is supportive of academic growth.  Additionally, entering a healthy class community with no close friendships can be a wonderful growth opportunity.  Children have the capacity to make new friends extremely quickly and those who form a wide range of friendships create a strong web of support within and outside school. 

Teachers put much thought into every single class placement.  Because teachers know children so deeply after working closely together for one or two years, a parent letter is not required.  If you send placement information, please make sure to include your child’s name and grade level for next year.  You may send a letter to the office or email me at pryord@wlwv.k12.or.us by Friday, May 18.

I can’t tell you how optimistic I feel about Willamette’s future.  We will be a somewhat smaller school next year, which facilitates the growth of a strong, intimate learning community.  I look forward to sharing our hopes and plans for reinventing ourselves into an even stronger, productive learning community for children, families and staff.

Sincerely,

David